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Chicago Police Commander Remembered as 'One of the Best'

The high-ranking Chicago police commander who was shot and killed at the Thompson Center Tuesday afternoon is being remembered as "one of the best men one can ever know." Patrick Fazio reports. (Published Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018)

Commander Paul Bauer, of the 18th District, was fatally shot by "an assailant while assisting a tactical team" at the Loop building, according to police.

He had been in the area when he saw a suspect who matched the description of a man wanted by First District tactical officers. He approached the suspect and an armed confrontation ensued, according to Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson.

Bauer, a 31-year veteran on the force, was shot multiple times and did not survive. The suspect was taken into custody and a weapon was recovered, police said.

Video shows a man being escorted and restrained by authorities after an officer was fatally shot at the Thompson Center in Chicago. It remains unclear if the man was the suspect involved in the shooting.

(Published Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018)

Prior to that, he worked as the longtime commander of the Chicago Police Mounted Patrol Unit and was a leader in the group that helped maintain crowds when the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2013.

That year, he spoke with NBC 5 about the night the city and fans erupted - a night he called "a long night."

“The hardest thing we do in our training is the rider can’t react,” Bauer said, “You are trying to transmit to that horse, it's not big deal.”

Bauer's fellow officers remembered him as an "awesome guy" who "liked being on the street and not cooped up."

An emotional scene outside of Northwestern Memorial Hospital was seen as police gathered to give a press conference following the death of a high-ranking Chicago police commander who was shot at the Thompson Center Tuesday. NBC 5's Charlie Wojciechowski reports.

(Published Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018)

Chicago's Office of Emergency Management tweeted that Bauer was a "great leader and friend to all who worked with him."

"He will truly be missed," they wrote.

I’m heartbroken that 18th District Commander Paul Bauer lost his life in a shooting today. My thoughts are with his family and @Chicago_Police during this difficult time.

I was heartbroken to learn of the death of Chicago Police Department Commander Paul Bauer. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and CPD colleagues and I ask residents of Cook County to join me in keeping them in their thoughts and prayers at this time.

Today Chicago lost one of its finest, Commander Paul Bauer. We are incredibly grateful to all Chicago law enforcement who put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe every single day. Our hearts go out to his family & the rest of the Chicago Police Department at this time. - AMV

The hearts of every Chicagoan are heavy as we mourn the loss of Commander Paul Bauer. Commander Bauer stood for the highest ideals of our police department & our city—to serve & protect the people of Chicago. I ask every Chicagoan to keep his family in their thoughts and prayers. pic.twitter.com/b2lb52fNzZ